Youth Leadership
Grow as a leader, mentor others, and shape your community.
What We Offer
Our youth leadership programs provide safe, supportive spaces for you to grow as leaders, mentors, and changemakers. Whether through advisory roles, peer mentorship, or culturally grounded workshops, you’ll gain the tools to lead with intention and impact.
NextGen: Lead the Way
Your voice matters. You’ll lead projects, build life skills, and grow with mentors who see your strength. Learn to lead with confidence and aloha, and make real change in your life and community. No experience needed, just bring your story and your vision. Ages: 18-24
NextGen: Step Up
Build your voice and lead with heart. You’ll take on youth-led projects, connect with your community, and grow your confidence through hands-on learning. Explore what leadership means to you, no experience needed, just bring your ideas and aloha. Ages: 12-14
NextGen: Walk the Talk
Walk the Talk challenges you to turn purpose into action. Across the Spring Term, you’ll lead community projects, build teamwork and confidence, and reflect through talk-story sessions on identity, culture, and leadership. Leave ready to lead with heart—and walk what you talk. Ages: 14-17
Youth Leadership Team
Todd Wilson
Director, Life Readiness
Todd Wilson
Director, Life Readiness
Todd Wilson is the Director of Life Readiness at Liliʻuokalani Center and has worked his entire career in education design and program management.
Most recently at the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, he advised on federal grant projects transitioning from COVID-19 restrictions to developing school and student health networks. Previously, as a consultant, Todd designed professional development systems to transition the Department of Defense Education Agency and Hawaiʻi Department of Education to the Common Core Standards, supporting agency-wide changes focused on performance data and instructional design. Before these large projects, he led youth-focused environmental programs in California and New Mexico, along with summer programs focused on wilderness, sustainability, and global dialogue. He has worked at public, independent, and charter schools and started as a writing teacher in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, a placement through Teach For America.
He received his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Grand Valley State University and his Master of Arts in Liberal Arts and Education from St. John’s College.
Phoebe Shmull
Youth Leadership Coordinator
Phoebe Shmull
Youth Leadership Coordinator
Phoebe Rei N. Shmull is the Youth Leadership Coordinator at Liliʻuokalani Center and an undergraduate student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Born in Guam and of Palauan heritage, she is passionate about Pacific Islander cultural preservation and Indigenous knowledge. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, participating in outdoor activities, and learning through her lived experiences. Her journey through youth programs continues to inspire her dedication to mentoring and uplifting the next generation, especially within Indigenous communities.
Connect with us
Ready to join our community and discover your passions? We can’t wait to meet you!